Unlike the previous dinner, this time all journalists were allowed to attend, and there were also reports that representatives from Devil Mission Ventures and Rising Star Ventures would be present.
As everyone arrived, the host went on stage to officially announce the start of the banquet, which included a buffet and the opportunity to appreciate the art of masters.
The masters began to bring out their works. The first to appear was a man in his forties, pushing a cart covered with a red cloth, which looked quite mysterious. Various cameras clicked away. When the red cloth was lifted, there was an empty glass bottle.
"This air was brought back from Antarctica, where it has never been polluted. As we can see, this air is significantly clearer than that from Hong Kong!" The master began to explain the story behind the bottle of air.
The second artwork was then presented: a plaster sculpture of an infant still in the womb, with the mother's face turned upwards in a breathing motion. The umbilical cord of the child was depicted in black, suggesting that the child was breathing polluted air.
The third item, the fourth item, the fifth item...
Among them were some eye-catching works, as well as some thought-provoking and excellent works. As all the works were unveiled, Lu Feng strolled around the venue.
“Brother Feng, this kid is handsome!” Feng Zhiyao waved to Lu Feng.
Lu Feng walked over and saw a pink-cheeked child sitting on the table, looking about two or three years old, eating fruit with gusto. Next to him stood a man in his thirties, whose work was his.
"This is your work?" Lu Feng asked, somewhat speechless. "What does the work express?"
"He's my son, so it must be my work, expressing the issue of children's dietary health," the man said proudly.
Lu Feng didn't understand what he was trying to say, but he could tell that the kid had a really good appetite. His dad was also good at getting funding; he took his son out to eat and drink and got a thousand or two yuan in hand.
Feng Zhiyao squatted there playing with the child for a while, then stood up and asked Lu Feng, "Brother Feng, I heard you found venture capital?"
“There are two European companies,” Lu Feng said casually.
"That's good. I was a little embarrassed before because I felt like I hadn't been able to help," Feng Zhiyao said, slightly embarrassed.
"It's alright, you can see. I'll go chat with the reporters for a bit." Lu Feng walked over to the group of reporters, first introducing how many guests and art masters were present, then changed the subject, saying, "Many people outside are criticizing me, but I really did hold this banquet!"
"I believe that these works will attract some attention as they are broadcast by the media. Life is all around us. If everyone drives one less time, uses public transportation more often, plants one more tree, protects the environment, and pays attention to children's growth, then I believe Hong Kong's future will be better."
"I would also like to appeal to wealthy people in Hong Kong to focus on things that benefit the public, do good deeds and accumulate merit, which will also help their own businesses. Everyone knows that my company has been seeking financing, but the venture capital circle in Hong Kong has made a bold statement that they want to blacklist me!"
"My original intention was to host a dinner for the public, but I didn't expect that two venture capital firms in Europe would take notice of me. Today is also the day we are negotiating. This is a case of good cause leading to good result!"
Facing the camera, Lu Feng downplayed his own worth while praising the public. He stated that all his money came from the working class and didn't belong to him, so he should give back to the public. Although he is from mainland China, he believes that people from both sides share the same blood.
He will strive to use his money to benefit everyone, not by giving it away, but by enabling everyone to breathe fresher air, make the sky bluer, and allow children to live healthier lives here.
After making many pronouncements about righteousness and benevolence, Lu Feng concluded by stating that he would establish a foundation and donate five percent of his total assets to the foundation annually, with the money going towards children and environmental governance.
After Lu Feng finished speaking, enthusiastic applause rang out. Looking at Lu Feng, Feng Zhiyao felt that Brother Feng's image had become even more great.
Lu Feng had wanted to establish a charitable foundation for a long time, partly to avoid taxes, and partly because he genuinely wanted to do something practical. Hong Kong's economy was developed, and the malnutrition rate among children was relatively low in this era. However, malnutrition was widespread in some remote areas of the mainland.
Lu Feng had a good understanding of rural children in this era, so he decided to start sponsoring some high-achieving students in 1998. As long as you are willing to study, everything else will be given to the foundation. Lu Feng had already thought of a name for the project: "Heaven Helps!"
In the latter half of the banquet, two white men appeared, opened champagne, and had a couple of drinks with Lu Feng. In the presence of reporters, the three of them went into the conference room to discuss business.
At 10:30 p.m., the noisy dinner party came to an end.
Su Yourong's team had just boarded a connecting flight to Sweden, but they still didn't know much about the specific locations of the two companies. Lu Feng's negotiations with these two companies really made Su Yourong nervous.
Lu Feng had just returned home when Su Yourong called.
"Congratulations on the successful completion of the banquet!" Su Yourong said regretfully, "It's a pity I couldn't get away tonight. I had to attend this industry conference. I'll definitely attend your banquet next time!"
“If you have something to do, then go ahead and do it. I talked to two companies today, and it’s really troubling me. Both venture capital firms have great ideas, but I’m a bit worried about the equity structure!” Lu Feng took the initiative to bring up the topic of financing.
"Do they want absolute control?" Su Yourong inquired.
"It's not really that. I just plan to get through this year and wait until the economy in mainland China improves. We mainly rely on the mainland for financing. They want me to give up 49% of the equity at once, leaving no room for subsequent financing. They want to dilute the equity and bring in new shareholders at the same time. Then I will lose my absolute control." Lu Feng sighed and said, "The valuations offered by the two companies are very good, but this is what's giving me a headache."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
